The name of the recipient of this letter was not released.

B”H, 17 Elul, 5710

Greetings and blessings,

It is my hope that you successfully arrived at your destination and I [grant] you [the blessing]: “May you come in peace.”

The true concept of peace is, as stated in Tractate Sanhedrin 99b, the Torah which brings about peace in the world. As explained in the Talmud [there],this means “peace in the Heavenly company and peace in the earthly company.”

According to the teachings of Mussar and Chassidus, the meaning of the above is that each and every person has a G‑dly soul and an animal soul, a good inclination and an evil inclination. They are at war, [contesting] who will be victorious and conquer “the small city,” the body, 1 that it should heed its will and act according to its commandments. 2 The difference between them is that it is impossible for the good inclinationto accept the approach of the evil inclination, for [the good inclination] is “an actual part of G‑d from Above.” 3

Such [steadfastness] is not [possessed by] the evil inclination. 4 It also recognizes its Master. 5 However, the reason for its creation is to test man and to see, [when there is a conflict between] “the words of the Master and the words of the students, whose words will be heard.” 6 [Nevertheless,] when the evil inclination sees that [even] after all its lures and seduction, its words are not being heeded and the good inclination is being followed, then it will also be happy. For not only did it not cause the person to stumble, but it also increased his reward in that he withstood the test and remained faithful to his Maker.

Based on the above, it is understood that “peace in the earthly company,” i.e., between the good inclination and the bad inclination, between the desires of the body and the desires of the soul, can only be established in one way: that the good inclination will be victorious over the bad inclination. This will also bring about “peace in the heavenly company,” for there, as well, there is a left side. As our Sages state: 7 The evil inclination is the Satan. The right side, by contrast, is identified with Michael, the archangel of the Jewish people. On an even higher level, [it is identified with] He Who said: 8 “My son, My firstborn, Israel,” and “You are children to G‑d, your L‑rd.” 9

When the Heavenly Court—where there are those who tend to the right and those who tend to the left 10 — sees that the good inclination is victorious over the evil inclination and that this has occurred several times until one’s merits exceed his sins, this brings about peace in the Heavenly Court. [Then,] the attribute of judgment ceases its accusations. Indeed, the accuser becomes a defender, and it is determined that a person [should be given] all forms of good in both material and spiritual matters.

As per your request, I will remember you at the gravesite of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ. May G‑d lead you on an upright path, that you yourself follow the path of the Torah and its mitzvos with the fear of Heaven, and that you have an influence on your surroundings, that your entire surroundings will [be illuminated] with “the light of the Torah and the candle of mitzvah.” 11 Then, “there will be light in their dwellings,” 12 even in material matters.

I hope that from time to time you will study the teachings of Chassidus. If there are any points that are difficult for you, you will surely discuss them with the members of the chassidic brotherhood in your surroundings. I am certain that you will find “the luminary of the Torah,” the Torah’s hidden, mystic dimension 13 pleasant, and that it will endow you with vitality in your path in life.

I wish you a kesivah vachasimah tovah for a good and sweet year with success in your holy work, and I await good tidings,

Menachem Schneerson

Enclosed is the kuntreis for Chai Elul that was just published.